Many postings are relating to Ajahn Chah, just thought I'd mention that next week will be start of the annual commemoration of his birth at Wat Pa Pong...the 19th I think...Ajahn Sumedho, and other notable 'Foresters' (as well as large crowds) make the trip...it's a big deal...if anyone has a link to any details it would be appreciated...

Hello Venerable. I tried to find some information online but could not find anything. The one area of the Wat Nong Pah Pong website that looked like it might have info hasn't been completed, unfortunately. Maybe everyone is too busy?? Or... all those who need to know already know what they need to know and are coming?!

"As Buddhists, we should aim to develop relationships that are not predominated by grasping and clinging. Our relationships should be characterised by the brahmaviharas of metta (loving kindness), mudita (sympathetic joy), karuna (compassion), and upekkha (equanimity)."~post by Ben, Jul 02, 2009

Ajahn Chah's memorial day falls on the 16th January, and I expect Ajahn Sumedho and other Western monks to be in Ubon for this occasion. I have myself been present for the circumambulation of the Stupa at Wat Nong Pag Pong only once but it is a powerful occasion to see how many people a simple forest monk from Isaan has managed to inspire to practise the Dhamma.

the First Monk I Met was Sayadaw U Nyanissara, and the first Book of Ajahn Chahs I read was Bodhinyana. Both Teachings were pretty much identical, put in different ways but emphasised the same thing, no holds barred approach. everything is Dhamma. I actually thought of Ajahn Chah when I saw the Jedi smiley as at the moment I am reading Unshakeable Peace where he says we are like warriors (not a direct quote) Page 52/3 of the copy I have in the mastering meditation section.I can't wait to get all of his teachings and get them bound.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill

clw_uk wrote:I do thank Ajahn Chah a lot for helping me deepen my practice . A book of his that I have "Everything Arises, Everything passes away" is full of very good advice and teachings i would recomend it.

MettaCraig

I don't think there is a book of Ajahn Chahs I couldn't recomend! I have found pearls diamonds, saphires gold, safron, the lot in each of the books

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion … ...He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.John Stuart Mill